[f0e4c2f7]

As an engineer you're probably comfortable using the open source version indefinitely. However once a VP hears about free software being used they'll move quickly to make sure a few million dollars are spent so that everyone can act very serious about the software.

I'm half joking, but this is essentially the enterprise software sales model (or more likely you charge millions up front for bad software that isn't open source).

The less smarmy answer is so that companies have support contracts and someone to point at when things go wrong.

[igaloly]

Do you assume that enterprises that currently use the open-source edition of HasiCorp's product will start paying for support? Why should they if everything went fine till now? Can you please share from where your experience comes about enterprises?

[f0e4c2f7]

If you started asking companies if they use the free or paid version you might be surprised to find how few use the free version.

I'm sure there are some that use the open source version and do their own support but generally large enterprise companies want a 3rd party vendor to yell at. As the software becomes more popular you're more likely to have managers interally ask about switching to the paid version, or in some cases outright banning the open source version until they can switch to the paid version. Strange I know.

There are also enterprise sales people for most software to attempt to sell into the org. Not sure if Hashicorp has these or not.

> Do you assume that enterprises that currently use the open-source edition of HasiCorp's product will start paying for support?

Not all, but a lot.

> Why should they if everything went fine till now?

Usually because a VP sees it as a way to get promoted by explaining to his boss that he bought that thing everyone likes now.

> Can you please share from where your experience comes about enterprises?

Years of working with Fortune 500 companies (would not recommend).

[igaloly]

Super interesting.Thanks for your insights!